Monmouth County prosecutors told the court there was a "strong likelihood," based on the facts, that Robert Dunbar would be convicted in connection with the alleged assault on Detective Louis Pepe on Aug. 10. Pepe is married and lives on Staten Island.

Dunbar, 35, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. He has denied the allegations.

His lawyer had sought to lower bail to $100,000, said prosecutors.

During the court proceeding, prosecutors disputed the defense's version of the incident.

Defense lawyer Mark J. Fonte previously told the Advance that a naked Pepe was accidentally shot as Dunbar and his spouse struggled over the cop's .38-caliber service weapon. Dunbar and his wife had once shared the residence.

Prosecutors, however, contend that Dunbar broke into the back of the house, encountered his wife in the kitchen and threw her to the ground. He then went into the bedroom and attacked Pepe, who was on the bed, said prosecutors.

Authorities declined to say whether Pepe was clothed.

Prosecutors said Dunbar's wife entered the bedroom and pulled her husband off Pepe. Dunbar grabbed Pepe's gun which was on a nightstand. Dunbar, who was about 8 feet away from Pepe, fired a shot into the ceiling, said prosecutors.

He then fired three times at Pepe who ran toward the bathroom, hitting him once in the back, prosecutors said.

Afterward, Pepe was treated and released from Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

The defense contends that Dunbar found Pepe in bed with the suspect's wife. The detective's gun was on the bed.

The two struggled and Dunbar's wife called out, "The gun! The gun!", and both men reached for it, Fonte said. Dunbar got the gun and Pepe got the holster.

The gun discharged accidentally, hitting the ceiling and Pepe ran to the bathroom, said Fonte. Dunbar and his wife then began arguing and during a "confused struggle" the gun accidentally discharged again, piercing the wall and striking Pepe in the bathroom, alleged Fonte.

Pepe is assigned to the Brooklyn-based 63rd Precinct detective squad.

A new court date has not been set.

In New Jersey, a formal arraignment on felony charges can take anywhere from eight months to a year, although a defendant can call upon his or her constitutional right to a speedy trial.

Regular grand juries in New Jersey meet for 18 months, and can be extended 24 months, while special grand juries, which are usually assembled for organized crime cases, sit for up to 36 months.

Marc LeMieux, director of investigations, is handling the case for the Monmouth County prosecutor's office.